U.S. patent number 8,162,144 [Application Number 10/439,948] was granted by the patent office on 2012-04-24 for child resistant and senior friendly container.
Invention is credited to Thomas D. Intini.
United States Patent |
8,162,144 |
Intini |
April 24, 2012 |
Child resistant and senior friendly container
Abstract
There is provided a child-resistant container having a top and
bottom hingedly connected together, first, second and third
cooperative locking devices on both the upper and lower members,
the locking devices being operative such that a first locking
device can be operated to permit a limited unlocking between the
two members at which time the second and third locking devices must
be operated to fully open the container. A double locking action on
two of the locking devices is illustrated as well as an arrangement
for dispensing a product from a blister pack within the
container.
Inventors: |
Intini; Thomas D. (Brossard,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
33417941 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/439,948 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040226853 A1 |
Nov 18, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/532; 220/324;
206/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
83/0463 (20130101); B65D 43/162 (20130101); B65D
2215/04 (20130101); B65D 2251/1025 (20130101); B65D
2215/02 (20130101); B65D 2251/1058 (20130101); B65D
2215/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
83/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;206/531,1.5,532,538,539
;220/281,253,324 ;215/209 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Yu; Mickey
Assistant Examiner: Cheung; Chun
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fincham; Eric
Claims
I claim:
1. A child-resistant container comprising: a bottom member adapted
to receive and contain at least one item to be packaged, said
bottom member having a base and at least one wall extending
upwardly therefrom; a cover member; first, second and third
cooperative locking devices on both said cover member and said
bottom member; said first, second and third locking devices being
operative such that when said cover member is in a closed position
with respect to the bottom member, said locking devices function to
maintain the cover member and bottom member in a locked
relationship; said first locking device permitting limited movement
between the cover member and bottom member while maintaining a
locking relationship such that the second and third locking devices
may be moved to an unlocked position while said first locking
device is locked; and said second and third locking devices each
further including secondary locking means to prevent opening of the
container when only one of said second and third locking devices is
opened.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein said container is an overall
rectangular configuration with a front wall, a back wall and a pair
of side walls extending upwardly from said base, said second and
third locking devices being located on opposite side walls of the
container.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein each of said second and third
locking devices comprises a tab extending from one of said members,
an aperture formed in the other said members, said tab member being
adapted to engage the aperture to thereby lock the members
together.
4. The container of claim 3 wherein said secondary locking means
associated with said second and third locking devices to prevent
the package being opened comprises a secondary tab member formed on
said first tab member, said secondary tab member engaging a side
wall.
5. The container of claim 1 further including a plurality of
projections extending inwardly from at least one of said bottom
member and said cover member.
6. The container of claim 1 further including means for receiving
and retaining a blister package therein.
7. A child-resistant container comprising: a bottom member adapted
to receive and contain at least one item to be packaged, said
bottom member having a base and at least one wall extending
upwardly therefrom; a cover member; first, second and third
cooperative locking devices on both said cover member and said
bottom member; said first, second and third locking devices being
operative such that when said cover member is in a closed position
with respect to the bottom member, said locking devices function to
maintain the cover member and bottom member in a locked
relationship; said first locking device permitting limited movement
between the cover member and bottom member while maintaining a
locking relationship such that the second and third locking devices
may be moved to an unlocked position while said first locking
device is locked; said second and third locking devices each
including secondary locking means to prevent opening of the
container when only one of said second and third locking devices is
opened; a plurality of projections extending inwardly from an inner
surface of said bottom member; a blister package having a plurality
of blister pockets covered by a rupturable foil, said blister
package being placed such that at least of said blister pockets
rests on at least one of said projections such that when pressure
is applied, a product in said blister pocket will be forced through
said rupturable foil.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to containers and more particularly,
relates to a child-resistant/senior friendly package suitable for
containing medicants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of child-resistant packaging is well known in the art and
is utilized for many different types of goods. The present
invention is primarily directed to packaging for those products
which represent a potential hazard in the hands of children--i.e.
medicaments and the like.
Packaging and design to be child-resistant while still being
senior-friendly will depend upon the product being utilized--i.e.
size, format, etc. For example, in the field of pharmaceuticals,
many different types of pill containers are used commercially. They
generally have locking tops which require either a certain
alignment between the top and container or a specific force exerted
on the top. Also known are individually packaged medicaments which
are often sealed in different types of blister packages which are
designed to prevent easy access by children.
In designing child-resistant packaging, it is important that the
package can be opened without undue difficulty by the average
consumer for whom the product is intended. This is frequently a
problem and one of the primary users of medication are the elderly,
and packaging which relies on a certain amount of strength to open
is often self-defeating and at the end users find it difficult or
impossible to open such packaging. As a result, compliance with
taking the medication may be low.
Some pharmaceutical products are packaged in the form of pills or
tablets and are sealed in child-resistant blister packages.
Frequently, these packages are difficult for the elderly to
open.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
child-resistant package which is senior friendly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
packaging suitable for a number of different items and wherein a
substantial amount of strength is not required while still
incorporating child-resistant features.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
packaging wherein medicaments in blister packages may easily be
removed therefrom.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
packaging providing feel safe features should a portion of the
package be accidentally opened.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a child-resistant
container comprising a bottom member adapted to receive and contain
at least one item to be packaged, the bottom member having a base
and at least one wall extending upwardly therefrom, a cover member,
first, second and third cooperative locking devices on both the
cover member and the bottom member, the first, second and third
locking devices being operative such that when the cover member is
in a closed position with respect to the bottom member, the locking
devices function to maintain the cover member and bottom member in
a locked relationship, the first locking device permitting limited
movement between the cover member and bottom member while
maintaining a locking relationship such that the second and third
locking devices may be moved to an unlocked position while the
first locking device is locked, and the second and third locking
devices include means to prevent opening of the container when only
one of the second and third locking devices is opened.
According to a further object of the present invention, there is
provided a child-resistant container comprising a bottom member
adapted to receive and contain at least one item to be packaged,
the bottom member having a base and at least one wall extending
upwardly therefrom, a cover member, first, second and third
cooperative locking devices on both the cover member and the bottom
member, the first, second and third locking devices being operative
such that when the cover member is in a closed position with
respect to the bottom member, the locking devices function to
maintain the cover member and bottom member in a locked
relationship, the first locking device permitting limited movement
between the cover member and bottom member while maintaining a
locking relationship such that the second and third locking devices
may be moved to an unlocked position while the first locking device
is locked, the second and third locking devices include means to
prevent opening of the container when only one of the second and
third locking devices is opened, a plurality of projections
extending outwardly from an inner surface of the bottom member, a
blister package having a plurality of blister pockets covered by a
rupturable foil, the blister package being placed such that at
least one of the blister pockets rests on at least one of the
projections such that when pressure is applied, a product in the
blister pocket will be forced through the rupturable foil.
The present invention provides a child-resistant container which is
improvement over the prior art such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,346,069 in that there is provided a double locking feature on the
side wall locks. This prevents only one of the locks being opened
by a child and sufficient force being exerted to cause the other
side lock to likewise open.
Also, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are
provided means within the container to store blister packs and aids
to assist in the dispensing of a product from the blister pack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be
made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment
thereof, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the
present invention in a closed position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an open
position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container in a closed position
showing operation of the opening of the container;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;
FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof;
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view thereof;
FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are sectional views taken along the lines 8-8
of FIG. 5 showing the opening of the container;
FIGS. 9a and 9b are sectional views taken along the lines 9-9 of
FIG. 5 showing the locked and open positions;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines 11-11 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 11 is a partial view illustrating the placement of a blister
package within the container; and
FIGS. 12a and 12b are sectional views illustrating the removal of
an object from a blister pocket.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference
characters thereto, there is illustrated a container generally
designated by reference numeral 10.
Container 10, as may be seen in FIG. 2, has a bottom member
generally designated by reference numeral 14 and a cover member
generally designated by reference numeral 12. Cover 12 and bottom
member 14 are connected by means of a living hinge 16.
Bottom member 14 includes a first lower side wall 18 and an opposed
lower side wall 20. Extending between side walls 18 and 20 is a
lower front wall 22 and a lower rear wall 24. Forming the base of
bottom member 14 is a bottom wall 26.
Extending outwardly from lower side wall 18 are positioning ribs 28
for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. Similarly,
positioning ribs 30 extend outwardly from lower side wall 20.
As also being seen, extending from lower rear wall 24 are a
plurality of retaining tabs 32 while a plurality of retaining tabs
34 extend upwardly and inwardly from bottom wall 26 proximate lower
front wall 22.
Formed in lower front wall 22 is a lower front locking element
generally designated by reference numeral 36 and which will be
described in greater detail hereinbelow. Similarly, formed in side
walls 18 and 20 are lower side locking elements 38 and 40
respectively.
Cover 12 includes a first cover side wall 44 and a second cover
side wall 46. A cover front wall 48 extends between cover side
walls 44 and 46 as does cover rear wall 50. There is also provided
a cover top wall 52.
Extending inwardly from cover rear wall 50 are a plurality of
retaining tabs 54 similar to bottom retaining tabs 32. Extending
outwardly from cover top wall 52 adjacent cover front wall 48 are
retaining tabs 56.
Cover 12 is also provided with locking elements designed to
cooperate with locking elements on the bottom member 14 and to this
end, there is provided a top front wall locking element 58, and top
side wall locking elements 60 and 62 associated with side walls 44
and 46 respectively.
For reasons which will be discussed hereinbelow, extending inwardly
from cover top wall 52 are a plurality of projections 64;
similarly, there are provided bottom wall projections 66 which
extend outwardly from bottom wall 26.
The lock arrangement of top front wall locking element 58 and lower
front wall locking element 36 will now be described. In this
respect, and as may be seen in FIGS. 8a to 8c, lower front wall
locking element 36 includes a first inwardly extending portion 70
from which extends a vertical portion 72. A second horizontal
portion 74 parallel to inwardly extending portion 70 thereby
defines a hook type member. Provided in cover top wall 52 is a
recess 76 into which horizontal portion 74 will fit and thereby
retain the cover 12 and bottom member 14 in a locked position.
Each of the side locking members is identical and thus, only one
will be described in detail herein. Thus, each of the lower side
wall locking elements 38 and 40 comprise a first inwardly extending
section 80, a vertical section 82 extending upwardly therefrom, and
a horizontal section 84. Horizontal section 84 has a slot 86 formed
therein.
Each of top side wall locking elements 60 and 62 include a flange
90 extending along side walls 44,46. An aperture generally
designated by reference numeral 92 is formed in side walls 44, 46
and is designed to receive horizontal portion 84 to enter into a
locking relationship. It will be noticed that there is a second
locking projection 94 (FIG. 4) provided on flange 90 and which is
designed to seat within slot 86.
In operation, for the opening of the container, pressure is
initially exerted on lower front wall 22 to disengage lower front
wall locking element 36 from top front wall locking element 58 as
designated by arrow 35 may be seen in FIG. 8b.
Subsequently, pressure is exerted (as shown by arrow 37) on lower
side wall locking elements 38 and 40 to disengage the same from top
side wall locking elements 60 and 62 respectively.
In respect to the above, the unlocking of the container is a
sequential event. Thus, one can operate the unlocking of front wall
locking elements 36 and 58 which will permit a limited movement of
the cover 12 with respect to bottom member 14. In other words, at
this point in time, side wall locking elements 38, 40, 60 and 62
are designed to permit limited movement. Subsequently, pressure
must be placed on the lower side wall locking elements 38 and 40 to
disengage the same.
The engagement of locking projection 94 with slot 86 provides a
substantial safety feature with respect to the child-resistant
nature of the pack. Due to these locking projections, it becomes
extremely difficult to open only one side and have the other side
disengaged. Rather, the secondary locking effect makes the same
very difficult to achieve.
As previously mentioned, the present invention may be utilized with
blister packs which typically have a first blister layer with
blister pockets 100 sealed with a foil layer 102 as shown in FIGS.
10 to 12b. In this respect, the arrangement is such that
projections 64 and 66 are each associated with a blister pocket 100
such that when pressure is placed on the blister package as shown
in FIGS. 12a and 12b, the contents will rupture through the foil
102 and access may be had thereto.
In order to assist in the opening of the package, indicator arrows
104 may be provided on the foil layer 102. Thus, as shown in FIGS.
12a and 12b, pressure would be exerted on the arrows 104 to thereby
rupture the foil 102 to permit access to the contents of the
blister pocket 100.
Also, as may be seen in FIG. 3, the opening of the package may
conveniently be accomplished by using a thumb to open the front
locking members and using a thumb and finger to open the side
locking members.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for
purposes of illustration only and that changes or modifications may
be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *